Rivastigmine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 5, 2024.

Applies to rivastigmine: transdermal patch extended release.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions such as blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, flaking, itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin. Call you doctor right away if these skin reactions spread beyond the patch size, if they get worse, or if symptoms do not improve within 48 hours after removing the patch.

Having more than one patch on your body at the same time can cause you to get too much of this medicine. Make sure you remove the used patch before wearing a new one to decrease your risk of having serious side effects. If you accidentally use more than one patch at a time, call your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause nausea, severe vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you have any concerns. Call your doctor right away if you have severe diarrhea, dry mouth, thirst, unusual tiredness, and less urine than usual. These could be symptoms of dehydration (loss of too much body fluid). Dehydration is more likely to occur if you have diarrhea or vomiting.

This medicine may also increase your risk of having seizures or tremors, stomach or bowel bleeding or ulcers, heart rhythm problems, bladder or urinating problems, or lung or breathing problems. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you have any concerns.

Before you have any kind of surgery or dental treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine. Using rivastigmine together with medicines that are sometimes used during surgery or dental treatments may increase the effects of these medicines.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. If any of these side effects occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of rivastigmine

Along with its needed effects, rivastigmine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rivastigmine:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking rivastigmine:

Symptoms of overdose

• blurred vision
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• increasing muscle weakness
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• watering of mouth

Other side effects of rivastigmine

Some side effects of rivastigmine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

See also:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rivastigmine: oral capsule, oral solution, transdermal film extended release.

Dermatologic adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperhidrosis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Pruritus
• Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome disseminated allergic dermatitis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, bradycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angina pectoris
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrhythmia (e.g., bradycardia, atrioventricular block, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia)
• Frequency not reported: Sick sinus syndrome^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (47%), vomiting (31%)diarrhea (19%), abdominal pain (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, salivary hypersecretion, upper abdominal pain, flatulence, eructation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gastric and duodenal ulcers
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): GI hemorrhage, pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: Some cases of severe vomiting were associated with esophageal rupture^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary incontinence
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Elevated liver function tests, hepatitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Tremor (23%), dizziness (21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, bradykinesia, dyskinesia, cogwheel rigidity, hypokinesia, vertigo, psychomotor hyperactivity, gait disturbance, Parkinson gait, headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope, dystonia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Seizures^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, confusion, depression, anxiety, hallucination, agitation, restlessness, nightmares^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Application site erythema, application site irritation (e.g., pruritus, rash)
• Postmarketing reports: Application site hypersensitivity, urticaria, blister, allergic dermatitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite
• Frequency not reported: Dehydration^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, weight loss, fatigue, malaise, fall^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Rhinitis^[Ref]

Further information

Rivastigmine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer